17:55 bookworm is now known as Gareth
17:56 Tikvah is now known as Olwen
17:56 Woody is now known as Leviticus
17:56 <Skid_GMing>: All right. When we left off, Olwen had just finished talking to Rose the bakery owner, and learned that villagers were being held in the castle to prevent the villagers from trying anything. Leviticus had just been recruited to the mercenary band as an elite fighter. And Gareth was about to be tested on his magical prowess.
17:56 <Olwen>: Ooh...
17:56 <Gareth>: I was?
17:56 <Skid_GMing>: Yes. It's your turn to apply for a job.
17:57 <Gareth>: Oh I wasn't thinking of doing that, that was Levi's angle. I can though.
17:57 <Skid_GMing>: Well, everyone arround was assuming that that was what you were here to do.
17:58 <Skid_GMing>: Eyeless Pete turns to you. "So you fancy yourself a spellcaster, eh? What do you have to offer?"
17:58 <Leviticus>: Maybe my beating discouraged him?
17:58 <Leviticus>: =P
17:58 <Gareth>: Did I hear that remark about them shipping out?
17:58 <Skid_GMing>: Yes.
17:58 <Gareth>: Okay then yeah I want in to back up Levi.
17:59 <Leviticus>: I wish they had let us fight Cyrus together
17:59 <Gareth>: The magic choker is still here?
17:59 <Skid_GMing>: Yes.
17:59 <Gareth>: That will be fun for me then.
18:00 <Skid_GMing>: Roll a magical knowledge check.
18:00 <Gareth>: !roll d20 specialized effort
18:00 <Dicebot>: Gareth, specialized effort: 2
18:01 <Skid_GMing>: Ah, you can't get much of a read on the hooded woman's abilities. She seems to be dampening magic in an area around herself.
18:02 <Gareth>: "I have some experience with elemental spells. Electricity specifically."
18:03 <Leviticus>: Am I still talking with Cyrus?
18:03 <Skid_GMing>: Levi: yes.
18:03 <Skid_GMing>: Gareth: Eyeless Pete gestures to her. "I tell you what. If you can prevent our mage killer here from landing a blow on you for 30 seconds, you've got a job."
18:04 Leviticus is now known as Joshua
18:04 <Skid_GMing>: "Sparky, you go to the gate. Trisha, you start at the tower."
18:05 <Joshua>: "So, what do I do now?"
18:06 <Skid_GMing>: Joshua: "We drink to a good fight, and glory before us! Come, there's still some of the good stuff in the tower."
18:06 <Joshua>: I follow him to the tower
18:06 <Joshua>: That was where the high rankers hang out, right?
18:07 <Joshua>: Goal: Get him drunk
18:07 <Joshua>: Goal #2: Don't get too drunk myself
18:07 <Joshua>: xP
18:07 <Skid_GMing>: The entrance hallway of the tower has been reowrked into a sort of big tavern, with makeshift tables from barrels and planks, and kegs scattered haphazardly around.
18:07 <Gareth>: I see, I made sure you fared alright but you leave me with a self described killer.
18:08 <Joshua>: How am I supposed to help...?
18:08 <Joshua>: Plus, it's just a tryout, not an actual life-or-death situation
18:08 <Gareth>: You can't help, but you could at least witness my perhaps final moments.
18:08 <Skid_GMing>: Gareth: The hooded woman walks to the far end of the yard, waiting for you to take your position as well.
18:09 <Joshua>: I suppose I'll leave my poodle on the shadowpaths nearby the fight
18:09 <Joshua>: And tell him to jump in if necessary
18:10 <Joshua>: What kind of animal handling roll will that need, Skid?
18:10 <Skid_GMing>: If you just want it to idle there? No need for a roll.
18:11 <Joshua>: Really? I assumed a "go in if it gets bad" would be a difficult command
18:11 <Skid_GMing>: Okay, the jumping in command might be more difficult. Make a rool.
18:12 <Joshua>: If this command fails, I don't want him there at all, I don't wanna blow my cover
18:12 <Gareth>: What exactly am I supposed to do?
18:12 <Joshua>: Use your specialized dodging, I'd imagine
18:12 <Skid_GMing>: You're supposed to avoid getting hit.
18:12 <Gareth>: How does that determine my spellcasting ability though?
18:12 <Skid_GMing>: It's being assumed that you have spells to defend yourself with?
18:12 <Gareth>: I can't use magic...?
18:12 <Joshua>: !roll d20
18:12 <Dicebot>: Joshua: 16
18:12 <Skid_GMing>: Your command suceeds.
18:12 <Joshua>: Yay =D
18:12 <Joshua>: There, you have backup, Gareth
18:12 <Joshua>: So, back to the tavern, then
18:12 <Skid_GMing>: Gareth, your fight arena is about 150 feet across, enclosed by the walls of the castle. On one side it is open yard, on the other, dense cover is given by the makeshift tents.
18:13 <Skid_GMing>: You can use magic. In fact, as the woman walks away you notice that the supression effect melts away also.
18:13 <Gareth>: Very well then
18:14 <Skid_GMing>: "Ready?" asks Eyeless Pete.
18:14 <Gareth>: "I suppose."
18:14 <Skid_GMing>: "Good luck, kid. Go."
18:14 <Skid_GMing>: Roll initative.
18:15 <Gareth>: !roll d20
18:15 <Dicebot>: Gareth: 8
18:15 <Skid_GMing>: Okay, the woman rushes towards you across the yard, covering 50 feet and leaving 100 between you. Your turn.
18:16 <Gareth>: I'm supposed to fight? Or just duck?
18:17 <Skid_GMing>: You're supposed to demonstrate your abilities.
18:17 <Gareth>: Can I tell if she's trying to come in for a physical attack, or if she's going to shoot at me?
18:18 <Gareth>: I assume the former if she's closing
18:18 <Skid_GMing>: She doesn't appear to be equiped with a projectile weapon.
18:18 <Gareth>: I put up a force wall in her path.
18:19 <Joshua>: How many seconds is each turn?
18:19 <Skid_GMing>: About 5ish.
18:19 <Skid_GMing>: Force wall at what range?
18:21 <Skid_GMing>: Right in her face or close to you?
18:22 <Gareth>: Oh I can't reach her yet.
18:22 <Gareth>: I cast distort space then.
18:23 <Skid_GMing>: Okay, she keeps running towards you, closing another 50 feet. Your turn.
18:24 <Gareth>: How far can I move in a turn?
18:25 <Skid_GMing>: You think you could almost match speed with her.
18:26 <Gareth>: I want to move back roughly 20 feet then.
18:26 <Gareth>: Will that take my full turn?
18:27 <Skid_GMing>: Backing up would be leaving the castle.
18:27 <Gareth>: Oh I'm dumb.
18:28 <Skid_GMing>: And yes, it would.
18:28 <Gareth>: ...oh I'm also screwed then.
18:28 <Gareth>: Plans a and b both shot
18:28 <Skid_GMing>: Why?
18:29 <Gareth>: Plan b because I thought of it too late; not enough turns to prepare now.
18:29 <Gareth>: Plan a because I apparently misunderstood the terrain and now can't do the next step
18:30 <Gareth>: I guess I put up a wall 25 feet out.
18:30 <Skid_GMing>: Okay.
18:31 <Gareth>: That should still accomplish more or less the same thing, as going around would stop her short this turn
18:31 <Skid_GMing>: She hits the wall and it shimmers and partially disolves as she pushes her way through. She's stopped at 25 feet away. Your turn.
18:32 <Gareth>: Yeah okay, or going through
18:32 <Gareth>: I force push her
18:33 <Skid_GMing>: Roll for it.
18:33 <Skid_GMing>: Oh, you're noticing the edge of her dampening field at this range.
18:34 <Gareth>: Now, effort to this is designated to increase knockback distance. Does that mean there's no way (or need?) to make it more accurate, it just suceeds or doesn't?
18:35 <Skid_GMing>: You can apply effort as usual to make it more accurate, I think.
18:35 <Gareth>: Okay, what determines how much is needed for success? Enemy level?
18:36 <Skid_GMing>: Yes.
18:36 <Gareth>: Okay.. If she can power through the wall it's not going to be possible to connect then
18:37 <Gareth>: So I'll just put up another wall
18:37 <Skid_GMing>: Just sandwich her between the two walls? Or stick it close to you?
18:38 <Gareth>: I wish I understood better what was going on from the begining, I could have won >_>
18:39 <Skid_GMing>: You can also boost the strength of the walls with effort.
18:39 <Gareth>: How far has she come past the first? Is she still right at it because she slowed to push through?
18:39 <Skid_GMing>: She just got through it.
18:39 <Skid_GMing>: So yeah, it's right at her back.
18:40 <Gareth>: Okay then let's try putting it 'right' in her face, yeah
18:41 <Skid_GMing>: And any boost on the wall strength?
18:43 <Skid_GMing>: !roll d20
18:43 <Dicebot>: Skid_GMing: 16
18:43 <Gareth>: If she gets through it won't make a difference (the aim (my only chance) is to slow her down) so might as well
18:43 <Gareth>: If it doesn't make a difference it's a waste, but if it does it's the only way I succeed
18:43 <Skid_GMing>: what's your effort cap?
18:44 <Gareth>: 1
18:44 <Skid_GMing>: Ah.
18:44 <Gareth>: Which is all I'd do anyway. Not going to use half my pool putting up a wall.
18:45 <Gareth>: Especially when it's not going to help in the long run. Only does anything if she tries going through. Going around she still closes the gap from here, since it's only a ten foot detour
18:45 <Skid_GMing>: She has more trouble shoving through this time, only making it 10 feet towards you and zagging off to the side.
18:45 <Olwen>: ((By the way, during all of this I'm heading towards the castle, if possible))
18:45 <Skid_GMing>: We can say you reach the castle roughly around now.
18:46 <Skid_GMing>: There's a crowd of mercenaries at the gate looking in.
18:46 <Joshua>: So, Tower/tavern
18:46 <Skid_GMing>: Yeah: hold on that until this fight is done.
18:47 <Gareth>: It won't be long >_>
18:47 <Skid_GMing>: It's your turn. Want to try anything?
18:47 <Gareth>: I now can't use magic?
18:47 <Skid_GMing>: You need to hold out 2 more turns.
18:48 <Skid_GMing>: You can use magic. It's just harder.
18:49 <Gareth>: She's 15 feet away right?
18:49 <Gareth>: Oh doesn't matter, I can't move
18:49 <Gareth>: I screwed this up so bad
18:49 <Skid_GMing>: You can move.
18:50 <Gareth>: ..Why couldn't I earlier?
18:50 <Skid_GMing>: I just said that retreating would put you out out the gate.
18:51 <Gareth>: Is that out of bounds?
18:51 <Skid_GMing>: It wasn't explicitely stated, but the gateway is full of spectators.
18:52 <Gareth>: Well I can only hold for one more turn, so it doesn't matter what I do
18:52 <Gareth>: Only one possible way
18:52 <Gareth>: I try to push her
18:53 <Skid_GMing>: Roll for it.
18:53 <Gareth>: !roll d20 effort
18:53 <Dicebot>: Gareth, effort: 18
18:54 <Skid_GMing>: By some miracle, that's a hit. You grab her in a fist of force and throw her backwards to the ground.
18:54 <Skid_GMing>: She rolls to her feet 45 feet away. Your turn.
18:54 <Skid_GMing>: Sorry, 35 feet away.
18:54 <Gareth>: Oh my gosh I forgot she was choking me!
18:54 <Gareth>: That never should have worked!
18:55 <Skid_GMing>: You hit at level 7. Exactly what you needed with her suppressing you.
18:55 <Gareth>: O.O
18:56 <Skid_GMing>: So, you just need her to not hit you next turn.
18:56 <Gareth>: Is she all the way back on her feet?
18:56 <Skid_GMing>: She used her turn to stand up.
18:57 <Gareth>: Is my net considered a projectile for distort space?
18:58 <Skid_GMing>: Yes.
18:58 <Gareth>: How does using that work then? You said launch it with a push but not what the mechanic is. Is it an attack?
18:58 <Skid_GMing>: Yes. It's an attack.
18:59 <Gareth>: What does it cost?
18:59 <Skid_GMing>: Same as casting push normally.
18:59 <Skid_GMing>: You've just got a net in it.
18:59 <Gareth>: Oh yeah that makes sense.
19:00 <Gareth>: Okay is she still in hampering range? Should be just out right?
19:00 <Skid_GMing>: If you use your free 10 foot move forward you can hit her with it.
19:01 <Gareth>: Automatically?
19:01 <Gareth>: Oh you mean for push range
19:01 <Skid_GMing>: Yeah, in terms of range.
19:02 <Gareth>: Is that going to put me back in choking range though?
19:02 <Skid_GMing>: On the edge of it.
19:02 <Gareth>: So there's no way that would succeed
19:03 <Gareth>: Distort would cancel it out, leaving a still level 6
19:03 <Gareth>: So...
19:04 <Gareth>: I put up a final wall, a couple feet in front of her.
19:05 <Skid_GMing>: Okay, she runs around it, and is just closing on you and drawing her dagger when Pete shouts "TIME!"
19:06 <Skid_GMing>: She sldies to a stop, sheathes her weapon, and wordlessly stalks back towards the tower.
19:07 <Skid_GMing>: The crowd of spectators cheers, a little nervously.
19:07 <Gareth>: Wait, push knocked her *back* 35 feet, but I was 15 feet back, so she landed a net 45 back from me right?
19:07 <Skid_GMing>: You're right.
19:07 <Gareth>: Okay good to know
19:07 <Skid_GMing>: But it works out. She can move 50 feet, but can't attack on the same turn.
19:08 <Olwen>: Can I see all of this happening?
19:08 <Skid_GMing>: Yes.
19:08 <Skid_GMing>: Given your abilties, you can get yourself a vantage point.
19:10 <Olwen>: Ooh.
19:10 <Skid_GMing>: "Looks like a we have a new mage. Let's get you settled in."
19:10 <Olwen>: Maybe I should join too.
19:11 <Olwen>: I enter the courtyard.
19:11 <Jeremiah>: Mmmm, after your encounter at the tavern, I'd say it would be best to lie low
19:11 <Jeremiah>: Plus, having someone that can leave without being noticed is a good thing
19:12 <Olwen>: True, but why do we need someone to leave?
19:12 <Jeremiah>: To contact our team on the outside
19:12 <Olwen>: ...right.
19:12 <Gareth>: We set up a signal for that
19:12 <Gareth>: We light something on fire right?
19:12 <Olwen>: Skid, have fireworks been invented?
19:12 <Skid_GMing>: Yes.
19:13 <Olwen>: Do they sell them here?
19:13 <Olwen>: In the city, I mean.
19:14 <Skid_GMing>: I'm not sure. Roll a search check.
19:14 <Olwen>: I think I would be more usefull if I joined to, having more access to the castle and all that
19:14 <Olwen>: !roll d20
19:14 <Dicebot>: Olwen: 16
19:15 <Skid_GMing>: Yes. You mmanage to find a vendor who deals in exotic fireworks. You can get firecrackers for a few coppers or a big rocket for 5 nobles.
19:15 <Jeremiah>: You also might lose your baker friend
19:16 <Gareth>: I don't think so; tell her you're going in to get the kid out.
19:16 <Olwen>: I don't need anything more from the baker at the moment.
19:17 <Olwen>: Can I have bought a big firework on the way here?
19:17 <Skid_GMing>: Sure.
19:17 <Skid_GMing>: You get a big red flare.
19:20 <Skid_GMing>: Joshua: as you're in the tower, you get a feeling for its basic layout. There are two main doors on the ground floor. One leads to the yard, the other leads to the blacksmith's workshop along the wall. Spiral stairs lead down to the dungeons and up into living quarters. The whole place has been stripped of valuables.
19:20 <Gareth>: I catch Olwen's eye as she enters on my way to wherever I'm bring led.
19:20 <Skid_GMing>: You're going into the tower.
19:21 <Olwen>: I see Gareth.
19:21 <Gareth>: Uh, that is I mean our eyes meet, discretely; not I do something to actually catch her eye, and everyone else's
19:21 <Olwen>: I realize that.
19:21 <Gareth>: Just making sure the GM does
I realized I didn't phrase it the best way
19:21 <Olwen>: Right, OK.
19:21 <Skid_GMing>: From the outside the tower appears about three stories tall, with slit windows and a parapet at the top.
19:21 <Gareth>: I proceed to the tower.
19:22 <Skid_GMing>: The second floor connects to the tops of the walls by doorways.
19:22 <Olwen>: Is there anywhere I can stash this flare where it won't be seen?
19:22 <Skid_GMing>: You can stick it in your pack.
19:23 <Olwen>: Game logic, I guess no-one will notice me carrying around a big firework.
19:23 <Olwen>:
19:24 <Skid_GMing>: It's not that huge. It would go inside your quiver without much trouble.
19:24 <Olwen>: Is Pete still around?
19:24 <Skid_GMing>: Eyeless Pete is walking to the tower with Gareth.
19:24 <Skid_GMing>: The crowds of spectators are dispersing to their regular training and work.
19:26 <Jeremiah>: I ask Cyrus where he got his blades
19:26 <Jeremiah>: Just to make small talk
19:26 <Jeremiah>: And maybe score one like it for myself =P
19:27 <Skid_GMing>: "Fight in the southern isles. Took them off a pair of pirate twins when they picked the wrong ship to board."
19:27 <Olwen>: I try to catch up to Eyeless Pete. "Have you any need for an archer in this army of yours?"
19:29 <Skid_GMing>: Eyeless Pete stops and turns around. "An archer? I suppose we could make use of you."
19:29 <Skid_GMing>: He reaches out a hand and a brick leaps from the ground to hover above it. His hand turns into a fist and the stone shoots up into the sky. "Shoot that."
19:30 <Olwen>: How high up is it?
19:30 <Skid_GMing>: It'll peak around 200 feet before falling back down.
19:31 <Olwen>: Can I use Flurry of Strikes and hit it multiple times?
19:31 <Skid_GMing>: Yes.
19:32 <Olwen>: OK, I do that.
19:32 <Skid_GMing>: Roll for it.
19:32 <Olwen>: Do I roll for it seperately from the initial archery shot?
19:32 <Skid_GMing>: No.
19:33 <Olwen>: !roll d20 specialized , Flurry of Strikes
19:33 <Dicebot>: Olwen, specialized , Flurry of Strikes: 9
19:33 <Olwen>: -_-
19:33 <Olwen>: Aww. that's not very good.
19:34 <Gareth>: Free effort right?
19:34 <Skid_GMing>: You fire a hail of arrows into the sky, splintering three against the brick before it drops into Eyeless Pete's hand.
19:34 <Olwen>: OK, that works.
19:34 <Skid_GMing>: He grunts and says "Not bad, not bad. Come on in, let's get you set up."
19:35 <Olwen>: OK, I follow.
19:36 <Skid_GMing>: Each of you is provided with fabric patches wih the Scythian emblem on them, 5 Nobles in starting pay, and free access to the castle and first floor of the tower.
19:37 <Olwen>: Oohh, do we know where the villagers/hostages are being kept?
19:38 <Skid_GMing>: If you walk around, you'll find four of them working in the tavern on the main floor, two, including Rose's son working in the blacksmith's workshop, and find out the remaining 6 are in the dungeon awaiting their work shifts.
19:39 <Skid_GMing>: Joshua gets a private room on the second floor, but the door to the third floor is locked and barred. Commanders only.
19:40 <Skid_GMing>: Commanders being Cyrus and Eyeless Pete.
19:40 <Olwen>: Do the work shifts keep going at night?
19:40 <Skid_GMing>: Only the tavern.
19:40 <Olwen>: OK, what is the closest route from the dungeon to the tavern?
19:40 <Skid_GMing>: Huh.
19:41 <Skid_GMing>: You go down the stairs inside the tower to reach the kitchens and below them the two cells that make up the dungeon.
19:42 <Skid_GMing>: The door to the dungeon is also locked, however. And has a guard posted on it.
19:43 <Olwen>: How often do the shifts change?
19:43 <Skid_GMing>: "Every 6 hours, or whenever Dave remembers to get down here."
19:44 <Olwen>: Heh.
19:44 <Skid_GMing>: "Could you go tell that slob to get down here already?"
19:44 <Olwen>: "I think I could do that."
19:44 <Skid_GMing>: "Thanks."
19:45 <Olwen>: Ooook, I go to find Dave then.
19:45 <Skid_GMing>: Roll a search check?
19:45 <Olwen>: !roll d20
19:45 <Dicebot>: Olwen: 18
19:46 <Olwen>:
19:46 <Skid_GMing>: You find Dave, a portly looking, poorly shaven guy, sleeping on a bench at the back of the tavern.
19:47 <Olwen>: I try waking him up by shaking him.
19:47 <Skid_GMing>: "Uhwazaaugh." He says, before rolling off the bench and under the table.
19:47 <Olwen>: Is he awake?
19:48 <Skid_GMing>: He tries to stand up and hits his head hard enough to make the dishes dance.
19:48 <Skid_GMing>: "Auugh. What do yah want?"
19:48 <Olwen>: "I was told to tell you it's your watch in the dungeons."
19:50 <Olwen>: "So get down there, if you please."
19:50 <Skid_GMing>: "Fiiine." He crawls out. "Oh, oh no. I'm late. My keys. I need to get my armor on. Could you be a pal and grab my keys, I think they're out in my tent. It's the grey one with red patches."
19:50 <Olwen>: "Sure, I'll be right back"
19:51 <Skid_GMing>: He shuffles off towards the blacksmith's.
19:51 <Olwen>: I go to the tent to get his keys.
19:51 <Skid_GMing>: You go to his tent and after some shuffling through his stuff find the keys under his bedroll.
19:51 <Olwen>: What sort of keys are they?
19:52 <Skid_GMing>: They're hefty, old looking iron keys. Three of them, to be exact.
19:52 <Skid_GMing>: On a ring.
19:52 <Olwen>: Hmm.
19:52 <Skid_GMing>: Roll a lockpicking knowledge check?
19:52 <Olwen>: !roll d20 trained
19:52 <Dicebot>: Olwen, trained: 3
19:53 <Skid_GMing>: Hmm, not going to get more info than that.
19:54 <Olwen>: I take the keys back to Dave.
19:55 <Skid_GMing>: Dave takes them gratefully, "I owe you one, pal." He heads to the dungeon to have a shouting match with the guard whom he was supposed to replace half an hour ago.
19:55 <Olwen>: Alright.
19:55 <Joshua>: I ask about medical care for my wounds
19:55 <Skid_GMing>: Cyrus calls for a shrivelled old woman to come down and tend to them.
19:55 <Joshua>: BTW, I presume my poodle has returned to me?
19:55 <Skid_GMing>: With medical care, you recover 5 pool points.
19:55 <Gareth>: How can I treat my intellect?
19:55 <Skid_GMing>: Well, there's recovery rolls.
19:55 <Skid_GMing>: But I suppose techincally medical care can be appleid in the same way.
19:56 <Gareth>: Levi gets free healing just because it's wounds?
19:56 <Joshua>: Can I take back one of my heal rolls from last time, Skid?
19:57 <Skid_GMing>: If you used it, not really.
19:57 <Joshua>: Okay
19:57 <Skid_GMing>: And yes, your poodle is back with you.
19:58 <Joshua>: Can I apply some of this to my other pools, then? Cuz I'm only missing 2 might
19:58 <Skid_GMing>: Yes.
19:58 <Skid_GMing>: Gareth: and he just impressed everyone by fighting Cyrus almost to a standstill.
19:59 <Gareth>: I could have done that too
19:59 <Olwen>: Maybe, but they haven't seen it.
19:59 <Gareth>: My test wasn't offensive
20:00 <Skid_GMing>: Yes, but it didn't happen, so that's not what they remember.
20:01 <Skid_GMing>: The tone in the tavern grows wilder as the evening continues. Drunken singing, minor brawls, and gambling break out.
20:01 <Gareth>: I join a card game
20:01 <Skid_GMing>: Okay, you looking for a chance to go up against anyone in particular?
20:02 <Skid_GMing>: The hooded woman is at one of the card tables.
20:02 <Olwen>: Is the guard that was watching the dungeon before in the tavern?
20:02 <Skid_GMing>: Yes.
20:02 <Skid_GMing>: Also playing cards.
20:02 <Gareth>: Nope, just want to pass the time. Maybe get a little extra money.
20:03 <Olwen>: Does the dungeon Guard still have his keys on him?
20:03 <Skid_GMing>: Yes, he has a set of keys on his belt as well.
20:03 <Skid_GMing>: Gareth: Roll a deception or intellect check for card playing, and say how high you're betting.
20:04 <Olwen>: Is he drunk at all?
20:04 <Skid_GMing>: Not yet.
20:04 <Olwen>: Is he drinking?
20:04 <Skid_GMing>: He's got a mug next to him.
20:04 <Olwen>: How much does alchahol cost?
20:04 <Skid_GMing>: And now Gareth sitting next to him as well.
20:05 <Skid_GMing>: Here? Nothing. They're freely raiding the castle's supply.
20:05 <Olwen>: I guess I wait a while to see if he gets drunk.
20:05 <Joshua>: Skid, how long does it take for heals to recharge?
20:05 <Skid_GMing>: They recharge when you sleep.
20:05 <Joshua>: kk
20:05 <Joshua>: I just need enough Intellect to re-mark the dogs tomorrow
20:05 <Gareth>: Not high, 15 nobles max; reinvest my winnings from last time I played
20:05 <Gareth>: !roll d20 effort
20:05 <Dicebot>: Gareth, effort: 12
20:05 <Joshua>: "Speaking of which, I don't suppose I get some extra cash for that show back there?" I ask, casually
20:06 <Skid_GMing>: Cyrus raises an eyebrow at your suggestion. "Getting confident, are you? I'll tell you what. When you're battle proven, I'll cut you in for a half commander's share of the spoils."
20:07 <Skid_GMing>: "A commnder gets 10 parts. You'll get 5 parts. A common bruiser gets 1 part."
20:07 <Joshua>: "Fair enough. When will I have the opportunity to prove myself?"
20:08 <Skid_GMing>: "We're marching in a few days. Have a desert fortress to take out. Getting paid by the emperor himself."
20:08 <Gareth>: Bingo
20:08 <Skid_GMing>: Gareth: you increase your winnings, turning 15 nobles into 25.
20:09 <Gareth>: Nice
20:09 <Joshua>: OOC: I'm really enjoying this mission, it's giving each of us the opportunity to play to our strengths
20:09 <Gareth>: Not really, my strength is zapping
20:09 <Gareth>: But yeah, it's neat
20:10 <Joshua2>: BTW, since I'll be sleeping soon, I'll use my 10H
20:10 <Joshua2>: !roll d6+1
20:10 <Dicebot>: Joshua2: 3:2+1
20:10 <Olwen>: Well, I haven't gotten my turn to shine yet, but it's cool.
20:11 <Gareth>: You had two impressive archery displays
20:11 <Olwen>: Firing at a basket of bread and a brick. How enthralling.
20:11 <Olwen>: But I'll get my turn later.
20:11 <Skid_GMing>: "A couple more jobs like this and I'll be ready to retire."
20:11 <Joshua>: (Should I be surprised the emperor is hiring us?)
20:12 <Skid_GMing>: Roll a perception check.
20:12 <Joshua>: !roll d20
20:12 <Dicebot>: Joshua: 4
20:12 <Skid_GMing>: It's surprising, but you don't immediately put your finger on why.
20:14 <Skid_GMing>: The evening eventually winds down, people going off to sleep in tents or just passing out on the tables.
20:14 <Olwen>: What about the guard?
20:15 <Skid_GMing>: After playing cards, he heads for the outside door.
20:15 <Joshua>: "Retiring so soon? It seems to me you have the ability to do greater things. There are rumors you could even become the next emperor."
20:16 <Skid_GMing>: Cyrus throws back his head and roars with laughter. "You know I could be."
20:16 <Olwen>: Is Dave still guarding the dungeon?
20:16 <Skid_GMing>: Yes, Dave is.
20:16 <Olwen>: Anyone else?
20:17 <Skid_GMing>: There are a couple villagers in the kitchen, but he's the only one down at the door there.
20:18 <Olwen>: Is the kitchen connected to the Tavern? I'm a little confused on the layout.
20:18 <Joshua>: I'll join the cheapest card game, I suppose
20:18 <Skid_GMing>: There's a spiral staircase at the back of the tower that connects all the levels. Kitchen is one level down. Dungeon is two levels down.
20:19 <Olwen>: OK.
20:19 <Olwen>: Is there any rule against visiting the guy on watch?
20:19 <Skid_GMing>: No rule.
20:19 <Gareth>: Are we going to sleep?
20:19 <Skid_GMing>: If you want to. You're tired, but could stay up a few more hours.
20:19 <Gareth>: But will we be sleeping at some point? Then doing more tomorrow
20:19 <Skid_GMing>: Yes.
20:20 <Gareth>: I use my 10min roll then
20:20 <Gareth>: !roll d6+1
20:20 <Dicebot>: Gareth: 4:3+1
20:20 <Skid_GMing>: You can retire whenever.
20:20 <Gareth>: And action, why not
20:20 <Gareth>: !roll d6+1
20:20 <Dicebot>: Gareth: 4:3+1
20:20 <Joshua>: I'll use my action too
20:20 <Gareth>: If we're getting them back
20:20 <Joshua>: !roll d6+1
20:20 <Dicebot>: Joshua: 6:5+1
20:21 <Olwen>: If we could manage the fight tonight, then Cyrus still might be down a couple notches from the fight today.
20:21 <Skid_GMing>: Yep. All recovery rolls reset when you take your 10 hour rest.
20:21 <Joshua>: Perfect to refill all my pools.
20:22 <Gareth>: We're fighting?
20:22 <Olwen>: Only if we have to.
20:22 <Olwen>: Do you have a plan?
20:22 <Skid_GMing>: Cyrus claps Joshua on the back and turns to climb the stairs to the top of the tower. "I'll see you in battle, friend."
20:22 <Gareth>: We should wait until they move out
20:22 <Gareth>: Way less people to take on
20:22 <Gareth>: Remember there's over 60 here right now
20:23 <Olwen>: But what if they assign us to go?
20:23 <Joshua>: But, we're moving out with them
20:23 <Gareth>: We slip away
20:23 <Gareth>: I thought the plan was obvious. Did you sign up here for real?..
20:24 <Joshua>: Aw, I was looking forward to my 5 parts share
20:24 <Olwen>: Of course not, but we have to have a plan for re-taking the city.
20:24 <Olwen>: So, what's the basic, obvious plan?
20:25 <Olwen>: Cause if you don't have one, I might.
20:25 <Joshua>: And I can't sneak away easily now that I've attracted Cyrus' attention
20:25 <Gareth>: Yeah.. take out the stragglers that don't march out on the mission?
20:25 <Olwen>: But we'll have to go out on the mission...
20:25 <Olwen>: I don't think we can just leave.
20:25 <Joshua>: He'll be watching me, and if he doesn't see me on the march, he'll know something's fishy and turn around
20:25 <Olwen>: Exactly.
20:25 <Gareth>: No >_>
20:26 <Olwen>: Sooo...
20:26 <Olwen>: Anyone have a plan? Or should I say mine?
20:26 <Joshua>: Say yours
20:26 <Gareth>: Well good, we're stuck then
20:26 <Gareth>: I thought we were set up perfectly
20:26 <Joshua>: I say we contact the Ember Patrol and get them to intercept us on the march
20:27 <Gareth>: With who?
20:27 <Gareth>: We have the guys they can send to take them on
20:27 <Gareth>: If we were doing that we'd just storm the city right now
20:27 <Joshua>: *sigh*
20:27 <Olwen>: So maybe we can get out the villagers/hoatages, then flame up the castle to call re-eforcement. While they are in confusion, us and the rest of the embers could attack, maybe take them in smaller groups instead of a well thought out battle plan.
20:27 <Gareth>: That was exactly what I was thinking. And we'd do that when most of the group is away on the mission.
20:27 <Gareth>: I don't get the problem
20:27 <Joshua>: Hmmm...
20:27 <Olwen>: It's just a thought.
20:27 <Joshua>: I have a plan, actually
20:27 <Olwen>: Oh?
20:28 <Joshua>: Olwen, can you score a spot in the kitchen?
20:28 <Olwen>: ....why?
20:28 <Joshua>: Well, actually, first, Skid, I need to do a Wilderness Knowledge check
20:28 <Skid_GMing>: Roll it.
20:29 <Joshua>: Poisonous plants in the vicinity
20:29 <Skid_GMing>: I guessed that.
20:29 <Joshua>: !roll d20 trained
20:29 <Dicebot>: Joshua, trained: 10
20:29 <Olwen>: You want me to poison people?
20:29 <Joshua>: Yeah, that'd take out a fair number of them, and we could take out the stragglers
20:30 <Olwen>: But... poisoning them?
20:30 <Gareth>: I thought you thought you can't go wandering around; how will you pick poisons?
20:30 <Joshua>: What's wrong with poisoning them?
20:30 <Olwen>: Maybe we could get them from the baker.
20:31 <Joshua>: I can before the march, but not during it
20:31 <Joshua>: Or what Olwen said
20:31 <Olwen>: I guess it wouldn't have to be a lethal dose, just enough to get them out of the fight while we secure them.
20:31 <Olwen>: I don't want to poison them outright.
20:31 <Joshua>: You're opposed to killing them?
20:31 <Gareth>: We're supposed to kill everyone
20:31 <Gareth>: Ursa wants a message sent
20:31 <Gareth>: For killing our guy
20:31 <Skid_GMing>: There's bloatwort growing in the forest. It's not a deadly poison, and it has a distinct flavour, but it causes a person's face swell up making it hard to see or speak.
20:32 <Olwen>: That would be perfect.
20:32 <Olwen>: I'll see if I can get some from the baker.
20:32 <Joshua>: Would the mercenaries recognize the flavor?
20:33 <Olwen>: How big of a dose do you need?
20:33 <Skid_GMing>: It'll take cooking skill to conceal it.
20:33 <Joshua>: Ugh
20:33 <Skid_GMing>: Which a baker would have, incidentally.
20:33 <Joshua>: Ooooh
20:34 <Olwen>: Oh, well, what if we have the baker cook it into some food, then bring it to the mercs?
20:34 <Olwen>: Then, we release the hostages, flame up the castle, and take out the mercenaries?
20:34 <Joshua>: This plan is actually looking plausible
20:34 <Gareth>: Except for there being 60 guys yeah
20:35 <Joshua>: That's why I was hoping for a lethal poison
20:35 <Olwen>: Hey, I don't think they'll be able to fight well with swollen faces.
20:36 <Olwen>: So we sleep tonight, get the food tomorrow, then feed it to them at supper so we'll have darkness on our side?
20:36 <Joshua>: How much backup do we have?
20:36 <Skid_GMing>: 20 dudes.
20:36 <Joshua>: Of what skill level?
20:37 <Skid_GMing>: Level 4.
20:37 <Joshua>: And what level will the mercs fight at with bloated faces?
20:37 <Olwen>: We'll be fine, don't worry.
20:38 <Joshua>: I don't want to take any chances here.
20:38 <Skid_GMing>: Hmm. You have skill related to military strategy?
20:38 <Joshua>: Nope =P
20:38 <Joshua>: But what the heck, I'll roll for it
20:39 <Joshua>: !roll d20
20:39 <Dicebot>: Joshua: 8
20:40 <Joshua>: Hold on. If they're bloated, they might start fighting each other. Especially since they're recently betrayed mercenaries
20:40 <Skid_GMing>: Individually, poisoned mercenaries would probably be weaker than your backup.
20:40 <Olwen>: Anyway, I think we should go to bed.
20:40 <Joshua>: Plus, we don't have to kill ALL of them. If we kill Cyrus and 20-30 others, that'd send a message
20:41 <Skid_GMing>: Wait, did someone here have architecture training or something simliar?
20:41 <Joshua>: Yeah
20:41 <Skid_GMing>: Oh. Make a roll.
20:42 Joshua is specialized in Construction
20:42 <Joshua>: !roll d20 specialized
20:42 <Dicebot>: Joshua, specialized: 12
20:42 <Skid_GMing>: The tower will have a hatch at the top allowing access to the roof. Or from the roof to the upper rooms.
20:43 <Joshua>: Oooh, Olwen could grapple and kill Cyrus in his sleep
20:43 <Joshua>: There's our message, covert and easy
20:43 <Olwen>: I don't like killing people in their sleep, but I guess he is a murderer.
20:43 <Olwen>: Does his room have a window?
20:44 <Skid_GMing>: There are slit windows on that level.
20:44 <Joshua>: I mean through the hatch on the roof...
20:44 <Joshua>: That I just learned about
20:44 <Olwen>: I think he would wake up.
20:44 <Gareth>: Well it wouldn't be in his sleep, he'd wake up before you were done if it makes you feel better
20:44 <Gareth>: Like that mage on our first mission
20:44 <Gareth>: Would just give you a couple free turns
20:45 <Olwen>: I know. I didn't like doing that, either.
20:45 <Joshua>: The question is how to get out before he calls for backup
20:45 <Gareth>: I still don't understand why we're not waiting until most if not all the enemies will be gone to make our move, I thought that was exactly why we pretended to enlist, to find out advantagous information like that to help determine the best time and way to make a move, but whatever.
20:45 <Olwen>: Maybe we should just poison him too.
20:46 <Gareth>: If we're puffing people up we should get as many as possible, yes
20:46 <Olwen>: How long does it take for the poison to take effect?
20:46 <Joshua>: Could we get a delayed action on that poison, Skid?
20:46 <Joshua>: Like a pill kind of effect?
20:46 <Skid_GMing>: 20 minutes after eating. May be detected earlier by the victim if they know poisons.
20:48 <Olwen>: I have to go soon..
20:49 <Joshua>: I just can see Cyrus noticing our absence, and us having to take on all of them unimpaired
20:49 <Skid_GMing>: Okay, you guys can retire for the night. 2 XP each again for this session, and 1 to give away.
20:49 <Joshua>: Unless...
20:49 <Joshua>: We leave our backup to clean out the city, and we march with Cyrus
20:50 <Olwen>: But that won't stop them from taking out whatever place they're attacking.
20:50 <Olwen>: I think we need to get them all while they're here.
20:50 <Joshua>: Do we want to stop them? After all, the emperor is paying them to do it
20:51 <Joshua>: He's kinda our boss too
20:51 <Gareth>: Do we need to bother with wherever they're up to? I thought we just needed this city back.
20:51 <Olwen>: Well, I don't like the Emperor. He put bounty on my head.
20:51 <Olwen>: Besides, these are criminals.
20:52 <Joshua>: Skid, can you clarify what exactly our mission is?
20:52 <Olwen>: Although really, I think the crazy lizard man was right, and the emperor is a Lizard bent on destroying us all.
20:52 <Joshua>: xP
20:53 <Gareth>: Lizard being a human-dragon hybrid created by that Cult
20:53 <Olwen>: Yes.
20:53 <Skid_GMing>: Your mission was originally to take out Cyrus and send a message.
20:54 <Joshua>: See? Cyrus will march. We have to either go with the poison plan, or march out
20:54 <Joshua>: Or use the roof grappling plan
20:54 <Olwen>: OK, poison it is.
20:54 <Olwen>: You know, we could all take him on at once through the roof.
20:54 <Joshua>: Which, he'd call for backup, and then we'd be facing everyone unimpaired
20:55 <Olwen>: He probably would.
20:55 <Joshua>: Wait..
20:55 <Gareth>: I can silence him
20:55 <Joshua>: Didn't he just head up to bed?
20:55 <Skid_GMing>: Yes.
20:55 <Olwen>: OK, we could do that I suppose, but then what will happen?
20:56 <Joshua>: We kill him, and leave before anyone notices
20:56 <Gareth>: We sneak out, let chaos break out when they discover what happened, and call in the army at an opportune time?
20:56 <Olwen>: I think Gareth's plan might work, but I think it would send a better message if we just torch the place and take out Cyrus in the confusion.
20:56 <Joshua>: Without their head, the mercenaries will disband, and probably start fighting it out for the gold
20:57 <Gareth>: We grab the gold first
20:57 <Gareth>:
20:58 <Skid_GMing>: Gareth, thinking like an adventurer.
20:58 <Gareth>: I try
20:58 <Joshua>: And Cyrus' swords
20:58 <Joshua>: Jussayin', I want those things
20:59 <Olwen>: OK, fine. Get the swords. But can we agree on an actual plan?
20:59 <Joshua>: So poison?
20:59 <Gareth>: I have to go
20:59 <Joshua>: Or sneaky kill?
20:59 <Olwen>: Nah.
21:00 <Olwen>: Anyways, I'm out..
21:00 Olwen quit
21:00 <Skid_GMing>: This will be interesting.
21:00 <Joshua>: Gareth, your thoughts?
21:02 <Gareth>: I really have no idea
21:02 <Gareth>: I thought it was straightforward, but clearly it isn't
21:04 Gareth quit
21:05 <Skid_GMing>: I think you guys have the groundwork for some solid plans. Just remember it will take your backup a while to make it from the forest to the castle after you set off the flare.
